Benjamin Duke(s) of SC, 1745-1790, A Summary by Lynn S. TeagueThis document is copyright (c) 2002 by Lynn S. Teague.
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In 1766 a plat for 200 acres in Craven County was registered
by Benjamin Duke.2 The property was described as being in Prince Frederick Parish
on the west side of the Black River adjacent to vacant land. This would place
the property in Craven (contemporary Williamsburg) county.

On the 19th of September, 1770, a plat was registered by
Benjamin Duke for 200 acres in Prince Frederick Parish, Craven County, adjacent
vacant land. The plat was dated 4 September 1770.3 In 1771 a plat for
200 acres in Craven County, adjacent vacant land, was registered by Benjamin
Duke. The plat itself was dated 4 January 1771.4 This could be
in the same location, or elsewhere in Craven County. The original plat has
not been examined. In 1779 Benjamin Duke was an Overseer for the parish.5 In 1783 both Benjamin and William Duke(s) were listed as petit
jurors forGeorgetown.6

Benjamin Duke in Saint Thomas and Saint Denis Parish, Berkeley CountyFor several years no direct reference to the residence
of Thomas Goodman Duke was found, and so it was inferred from information
about others involved in the John Snow will (witnessed by Thomas Goodman
Duke and by Henry Bonneau) that he was from Christ Church or St. Thomas
& St. Denis Parish (see Addenda). However, it has been found that his
family is listed in the Register of St. Thomas & St. Denis Parish, but
(at least in the printed account) is incorrectly identified as Thomas Goodmunduke.
His family is listed there are follows:7 Goodmunduke Parents
Thomas and Susannah Thomas born Apl. 13, 1735 Elizabeth born Jan. 27, 1736-37
Benjamin Duke born Mch. 29, 1739 Susannah born Dec. 18, 1741 Mary born June
9, 1744

Benjamin Duke was in the Berkeley County militia, drafted
November 9, 1759, and discharged January 8, 1760.8 This surely refers
to the son of Thomas Goodman Duke. "Mr. Benjamin Duke of the Parish of St.
Thomas & St. Dennis, Planter, admr. with the will annexed of David Watts,
late of the Parish of St. Thomas & St. Dennis, Shoemaker, who appointed
Elizabeth Watts and Benjamin Simms,9 Extx. & exr.
& sd. Elizabeth Watts is since dead and Benjamin Simms hath rendered
his Exorship, 31 July, 1783. Sureties: Joseph Warnock of St. Thomas &
St. Dennis Parish, Planter, and Frances Bonneau10 of Charleston,
House-Carpenter." Reference: Page 67 (Source???). (In the 1790 federal census,
Frances Bonneau is listed as living in St. Phillip's Parish with 12 other
white household members and 11 slaves, next door to Edward Rutledge.) The
Bonneau family association and the location of his residence argue that this
was the Benjamin Duke who was the son of Thomas Goodman Duke, also of the
St. Thomas and St. Denis Parish and also closely associated with the Bonneau
family.

On 9 December 1784 Benjamin Duke witnessed the marriage
of Lewis Bochet (Parish of Prince George, Georgetown District) and Rebecca
Watts (Prince Frederick Parish, encompassing Williamsburg County) at the
home of Mrs. Rebeca Watts of the Parish of Prince Frederick. The service was
conducted by Samuel Fenner Warren, of the Parish of St. James Parish, Santee.11 Benjamin Duke served as a witness, with Joseph Boutwell.12 The Watts association makes it clear that this is the same individual
who was a planter of St. Thomas & St. Dennis Parish, rather than the
older Benjamin Duke, of Prince Frederick Parish. The location and the Bonneau
association strongly suggest that this is in turn the same individual who
was a son of Thomas Goodman Duke.

The Watts family appeared in Orangeburgh District, and was
probably associated with the Watts family connected with Benjamin Duke in
St. Thomas and St. Dennis Parish. John Watts, a shoemaker (like David Watts
of St. Thomas and St. Denis) appeared in the 1850 federal census of Orangeburgh
District, living near St. Matthews, perhaps between there and Elloree judging
by his census neighbors (Kellers, Kennerlys, Keitts, Warren Adam Shuler,
and so forth).13 Zimmie Dantzler plats show that Joe Watts received a 1768-69 grant
on Fleabite Creek, near Halfway Swamp.14 John and
William were probably his descendants, since this places them in the same
area. The Watt family name also appears in connection with the Duke family
in Sumter County, where Jonathon Watt married Adelphus Duke, born 1815, whose
mother was a Simmons.

It is clearly the Duke family of the Hobcaw Point area that
had connections with both the Watt and Simmons families. Specifically, Benjamin
Duke was brother of Elizabeth, who married a Simmons, and had close ties
to the Watt family. He was probably the father of Adelphus Duke. There is
another Bonneau/Duke family connection. In 1766 Elizabeth Duke of St. Thomas
and St. Denis, daughter of Thomas Goodman Duke, married Henry Simons, son
of Samuel Simons and Elizabeth Bonneau.

The Family of Thomas Duke, Williamsburg CountyThe family begun by Thomas Duke, son of an unknown Duke
and Sarah Blackwell, follows the above individuals, Benjamin and his son
William, in the Williamsburg County area. It is possible that Thomas Duke
of Williamsburg is descended from the Benjamin Duke family, although this
is by no means clear. According to the family records of Richard Duke of
New Zion, Williamsburg County, South Carolina, the family history of Thomas
Duke descendants includes the following: An unknown Duke married Margaret
Blackwell (1769-1799), daughter of Samuel Blackwell and Elizabeth Dozier.
Samuel Blackwell was the son of Samuel Blackwell who served under Francis
Marion in the Revolutionary War. Margaret Blackwell was married first to
this unknown Duke, then to Samuel Adair, and finally to John McClary.

Thomas, in turn, married John McClary's daughter, Mary Hamilton
McClary. Thomas Duke, born 10 Nov 1786, died 30 Nov 1855, buried McClary
cemetery, married first Mary Hamilton McClary, born 26 July 1784, died 28
Mar 1840. Their children were David McClary Duke, b. ca. 1819, d. Mar 1873,
and Sarah Thermutis Duke, born 1822, died 26 Nov 1866. Thomas Duke married
second Susan Thorp, born about 1824, died 1849. They had sons Thomas Flovia
Duke and Benjamin F. Duke. David McClary Duke named his children Susannah,
William D., Robert E., Thomas, Mary Helen, and Elizabeth A. Duke. The male
names parallel exactly the male names of the known Duke family in Berkeley
County.

Thomas Flovia Duke also had sons named Thomas Edward and
William Fowler Duke. William Fowler Duke brings to mind the Fowlers connected
to the Duke family through Joan Watkins Halliburton Dukes, whose will was
probated in 1771 and referred to her sister: Anne Watkins, who first married
James Cammell and second Jonathon Fowler. In addition, the Blackwells were
from Haddrels Point, now called Mt. Pleasant, very close to Hobcaw Point
in Christ Church Parish, Berkeley County.15 Margaret Blackwell
Duke had a brother named Boutwell Blackwell.16 It will
be remembered that Joseph Boutwell witnessed a Prince Frederick's Parish
wedding with Benjamin Duke, son of Robert Goodman Duke of the Hobcaw Point
area, in 1784. The LDS IGS shows Joseph Boutwell's father as Burtonhead Boutwell,
of Jeffries Creek, Prince Frederick Parish, Craven County, SC. However, the
1790 federal census has Joseph Boutwell in Georgetown District, Prince Frederick's
Parish, but Burton and John Boutwell in Barnwell County in close proximity
to many families with names associated with various parts of the Dukes family:
Christian Faust; Joseph, William, and John Pendarvis; James Kirkland; James
Myrick; and George Crim. The LDS IGI also associates Joseph Boutwell with
Barnwell County.

Benjamin Duke(s) in Lancaster CountyThe first property acquired by the Duke family in Camden
District appears to be a grant of 250 acres on the Wateree River, Craven
County, to Benjamin Duke. The plat is dated 10 Oct 1749, and the grant is
dated 15 May 1751.17 County records show that Benjamin and Mary Duke acquired property
in Lancaster County in 1751;18 this could be
the property represented by the state grant.

In 1753 John Duke acquired land on the north side of the
Wateree River through a lease and release transaction: 19 23 & 24 Sept.
1753. Lease and Release. William Harrison, carpenter & Ann (Nancy) (her
mark) his wife, to John Dukes, carpenter, both of Craven County for 60 pounds
currency, 150 acres in Craven County on N. side Wateree River, other sides
on vacant land; as granted Harrison by Gov. James Glen on 6 Mar. 1749.
Wit: Richard Kirkland, Robert (his mark) Humohris, Joseph Kirkland. Before
James McGirt, J.P. Recorded 9, Sept. 1765 by Fenwicke Bull, Register. The
Orangeburgh website Kirkland and Brown family listings give William Harrison
as the first husband of Ann Kirkland, who was a daughter of Richard Snowden
Kirkland and a sister of Moses Kirkland.

There is a reference to Benjamin Duke's land on the Wateree
River, adajcent to that of Robert Harrison, mariner:20 27 August,
1767. Lease and Release. Anthony Gillmore to Robert Harrison, mariner,
both of Charleston, for 40 pounds currency, 150 acres in St. Marks Parish,
Craven County, bounding SE on Lewis Buckingham & vacant land; SW on Santee
River; other sides on vacant land; also 50 acres in Craven County on NE side
Wateree River, bounding SE on Benjamin Dukes, other sides on vacant land.
Wit: M. Lucullus Ryall, John Nevin. Before Fenwicke Bull, J. P. and P. Register.
And also:21 1 & 2 February, 1770. Lease and Release. Robert Harrison of
Charlestown, Berkley County, SC to Benjamin Farar of St. Mathews Parish
for 750 pounds SC money, 150 acres in St. Mark's Parish adj. Luis Buckingham
on Santee River originally granted to John Cameron 21 June 1765 also a tract
of 50 acres on northeast side of Wateree River in Craven County adj. Benjamin
Dukes originally granted to James Lynah 4 June 1759. Robert Harison (LS)
Wit: Andw Broughton Sener, Andrew Broughton.22 Proved in Berkley
County by the oath of Andw. Broughton Senr 15 March 1770 before Wm. Thomson.23 Recorded 26 March
1778. Robert Harrison was indeed a mariner, appearing in the surviving
records of early South Carolina ship registrations:24 Ann, sloop,
15 tons, Charleston, 1:219; master, Robert Harrison; owner, Robert Harrison
(mariner, Charleston); taken from French by privateer Major Rogers; condemned
as lawful prize by vice-admiralty court Charleston 21 June 1763; registered
7 October 1763. Another Harrison, Gilbert, was master and owner of the 20
ton schooner William and Jane, registered in Charleston in 1773.25

Benjamin Duke of St. Phillip's Parish and Richland CountyBenjamin Duke, carpenter, St. Phillip's Parish and Richland
County Benjamin Duke, carpenter, married to Rachel Higgins, widow of deceased
Thomas Higgins of Charleston, on September 5, 1784.26 A more
detailed account was found by Joe Lineberger: Mr. Benjamin Duke of St.
Phillips Parish, House-Carpenter, & Rachael Duke, his wife, admr. &
admx. of Thomas Higgins, late of said Parish, House-Carpenter. Sureties:
John Hughes & John Bonnicot of Charleston, House-Carpenters. October
8, 1784.27 Mrs. Rachael Duke appointed administratix of Benjamin Duke's
Estate. August 17, 1790.28

Note: From 1785-1791, Richland County included
a part of Kershaw County west of the Wateree. This was probably the same
individual. It was also quite likely the same individual who owned land
in Lancaster County, SC, and who was associated with John Duke and with
William and Robert Harrison there. This links him also to a Benjamin Duke
who had a son, William, with his wife, Mary, in 1745 in Georgetown. The
Benjamin Duke of Lancaster County was married to Mary in the 1750's -- LST

1
1916. The Register Book for the Parish Prince Frederick Winyaw.
Baltimore: The National Society of the Colonial Dames of America. Page 21.
South Carolina Historical and Genealogical Magazine Vol. IX:21,23; Vol.
XI:124,127; Vol. XXXI:92.

12The LDS IGS shows Joseph Boutwell's father as Burtonhead Boutwell,
of Jeffries Creek, Prince Frederick Parish, Craven County, SC. However, the
1790 federal census has Joseph Boutwell in Georgetown District, Prince Frederick's
Parish, but Burton and John Boutwell in Barnwell County, in close proximity
to many families with names associated with various parts of the Dukes family:
Christian Faust; Joseph, William, and John Pendarvis; James Kirkland; James
Myrick; and George Crim. The LDS IGI also associates Joseph Boutwell with
Barnwell County.

19
Deed Book E-3, p. 1. Charleston Deeds. South Carolina Department of History
and Archives.

20
Book H-3, p. 48. Charleston Deeds. South Carolina Department of History
and Archives.

21 Book W-4, pp. 313-315. Charleston
Deeds. South Carolina Department of History and Archives.

22 Broughtons occur elsewhere in the Duke
family circle. Penelope Duke, wife of William Roddie Duke, was a daughter
of Shadrack Broughton and his wife Mary Smith Broughton, according to Brandenberger
(Brandenberger, Evelyn Duke. 1979. The Duke Family. Houston: Evelyn
Duke Brandenberger. Page 270). William Roddie Duke was born in Spartanburg,
SC, on 21 April 1823, and died in Alabama on 1 June 1877. Brandenberger
associates him with the family of Major Duke of Union County.

23 Col. William Thomson held many public
offices in Amelia Township, and lived at Belleville Plantation.